"You can do this, don't worry. I'll be here," Kieran said with a soft smile, his tone like a warm breeze in the cold air.
Genesis looked up at him, searching his face for the reassurance she needed. He nodded once, steady and calm — the exact opposite of how she felt.
With his arm securely wrapped around her waist, they both stepped into the ice rink.
Genesis's eyes widened instantly as her skates touched the slick surface. Her feet wobbled, sliding uncertainly beneath her. Panic flooded her face and she instinctively gripped Kieran tighter, burying her face against his chest.
"I'm here, princess," he whispered, lowering his voice just for her. "Just hold on to me."
He guided her farther into the rink, gliding slowly, steadily, as if he was built for the ice. Genesis clung to him, breathing heavily, but with each passing second she trusted him more. Her grip eased ever so slightly.
Around them, a quiet buzz stirred as people began to notice who had just stepped onto the ice.
"Oh my God… isn't that Kieran Blackwood?" a red-haired girl murmured to her friends, her voice laced with awe and disbelief. She whipped out her phone with trembling fingers, quickly snapping a few blurry photos.
Another girl gasped. "So it's true. He's really married. And… wow. She's really pretty."
"Yeah, she is," another added. "The pictures online don't even do her justice. Look at them… they're glowing."
"What are they even doing here?" someone whispered.
One of them shrugged, rolling her eyes. "Isn't it obvious, Mia? They came to skate. And we probably shouldn't be taking pictures—"
But Manessa wasn't listening. She was too busy clicking away, framing each photo perfectly, a sly grin playing on her lips.
Then a deep voice cut through the soft music and chatter.
"Please, no taking of pictures. Put your phones away."
Manessa spun around — and nearly dropped her phone.
Her eyes met his: tall, broad, dark-suited. The bodyguard. But not just any bodyguard.
Her breath caught. Her face flushed a deep red, and she quickly turned away, heat climbing from her neck to her cheeks.
"Damn," one of the girls whispered. "How many bodyguards did they bring?"
"Right? And they're hot. I wish we could get their numbers."
The suited men moved smoothly into position around the rink's entrance, their presence commanding and precise.
Among them was Julian, his eyes scanning the crowd sharply — until they landed on Manessa again.
His brow furrowed slightly. There was something about her that tugged at his memory. Her face, her expression, the stunned way she'd looked at him just moments ago.
"What's wrong?" another guard asked, noticing Julian still watching the far end of the rink.
Julian blinked, forcing his gaze away. "It's nothing. Just thought I saw someone I knew."
"Did you?"
Julian turned his attention to Kieran and Genesis, who were now gliding more confidently across the ice. "No… I didn't."
But the frown on his face remained.
Across the rink, at the edge of the barrier, Manessa's chest rose and fell unevenly. She couldn't take her eyes off Julian.
Viper.
He was known as Viper.
But what was he doing here — guarding Kieran Blackwood of all people? It didn't make sense. Not one bit. He wasn't supposed to be a bodyguard. He wasn't supposed to even exist anymore.
Her heart thudded against her ribs.
Could it really be him?
Before she could think any further, someone tapped her shoulder, snapping her back to reality.
"Hey, wassup Manessa? You look pale. And flustered. Like, at the same time."
Her friends were staring now — curious, concerned. Suspicious.
She forced a smile, even though it didn't reach her eyes. "It's nothing. I'm just... really happy to see Kieran Blackwood. That's all."
But her hands trembled as she slid her phone back into her pocket. Her smile wavered as her gaze flicked once more toward the suited man now facing the ice, guarding the people at the center of everyone's attention.
The man she knew — or thought she did.
The man who once saved her life… but also destroyed it.
---
"Okay, let go now, princess," Kieran said as he gently unhooked her hand from his arm, his gloved fingers lacing around hers instead. He was standing slightly ahead of her now, holding only her left hand, watching her with eyes so fierce and focused, it was like the world around them didn't exist.
Genesis hesitated, her weight shifting uneasily on the skates. Her brows pulled together in quiet panic, lips parting with a soft breath as her other hand hovered near her side, uncertain.
Kieran's smile twitched, but it wasn't the soft one he wore for the cameras. No. This one was darker. A curl of pride, challenge, obsession.
"I'm still here," he said, voice low and deep. "I'm always here."
He gave her hand the lightest tug and began skating backward, pulling her with him.
Genesis's legs wobbled, and her eyes widened again — she wasn't used to moving without both of his arms wrapped around her. But she didn't fall. Not yet.
Step. Slide. Wobble. Slide.
People were still watching — phones tucked away now, but gazes lingering. Whispers still drifted across the rink. But none of that existed for Kieran. His eyes never left her.
"Don't think," he murmured. "Just feel me."
She did. Every inch of her felt him. His hold. His pull. His gaze. Her body listened more to his presence than her own fear.
She stumbled once, a sharp slide forward, and gasped silently — her hand flying up.
But before she could tip over, he was already there.
He dropped her hand and caught her waist with both arms in one smooth motion, pulling her flush against him, like it was all part of a dance.
Genesis clutched the front of his coat, chest heaving, eyes searching his.
Kieran stared down at her, that crooked smirk pulling at his mouth again — half in love, half unhinged.
"My brave girl," he whispered. "So dramatic for just a stumble."
She hit his chest softly in protest, cheeks flushed. His arms tightened possessively, not allowing her to escape even a little.
"I could eat you alive right now," he muttered, voice brushing her ear like velvet laced with a growl. "But we're in public."
Her heart slammed in her chest.
Still holding her close, Kieran began skating again — this time with her facing him, feet between his. He moved them both effortlessly, as if they were one body, one rhythm. Genesis stopped trying to control it. She let go. She let him guide everything.
Her eyes flicked up to his, something soft and unsure behind the trust.
He dipped his head, brushing his lips across her temple. "Don't ever be afraid," he murmured. "Not when I'm here."
Genesis blinked rapidly, lashes dampening. She nodded once, her fingers curling into his coat again, gripping tighter.
They skated like that — slow, intimate, completely at odds with the world around them — for several minutes. Kieran didn't care who was watching. If anything, he liked it. Liked the way they all looked. Envied. Wondered.
He liked being seen with her. Liked people knowing she was his.
Suddenly, he came to a slow stop in the center of the rink. People skated around them now, giving the couple a wide berth like they were something sacred.
Kieran bent slightly, gripping Genesis's chin gently between his fingers.
"I want to see you laugh," he said.
Genesis looked startled. Then her brows furrowed in confusion.
"I want to see it," he said again. "Even if it's silent."
And then he began to skate backward again, faster this time, dragging her with him. Genesis's eyes blew wide again, and she let out a soundless squeal, throwing both arms around him.
He laughed — low, rich, and wild.
"There it is," he said. "My girl."
Genesis buried her face in his neck as they spun slightly, his hand keeping her safe at the curve of her back.
Meanwhile, across the rink, Julian hadn't moved from
his post. His eyes, however, kept flicking back to that red-haired girl Manessa.
He didn't know why, but something about her didn't seat well with him.